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The $1 Billion Secret: 5 Shocking Facts About First Quality Tissue’s Massive Anderson, SC Facility

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The First Quality Tissue facility in Anderson, South Carolina, is far more than a typical paper mill; it represents a monumental $1 billion investment that fundamentally transformed the region’s manufacturing landscape. As of late 2025, this colossal operation remains one of the area's most significant economic drivers, actively hiring and utilizing cutting-edge paper production technology to meet the soaring demand for ultra-premium household products across the United States. This deep dive reveals the facility’s current status, its advanced technology, and the staggering impact it continues to have on the Upstate South Carolina economy.

Originally announced over a decade ago, the sheer scale of the Anderson County operation—including its 2.9 million square foot footprint—solidified its status as a major player in the consumer goods sector. The facility is a cornerstone of the parent company, First Quality Enterprises, Inc.'s, diversified portfolio, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality tissue and towel products for both private label and branded markets. The commitment to state-of-the-art manufacturing is what keeps this site at the forefront of the competitive tissue paper industry today.

First Quality Enterprises & First Quality Tissue (Anderson, SC) Profile

First Quality Enterprises, Inc. (FQE) is a privately-held, diversified group of companies with a significant global footprint. The company is a major manufacturer across several consumer goods categories, with the Anderson, SC site being a flagship location for its tissue division, First Quality Tissue.

  • Parent Company: First Quality Enterprises, Inc. (FQE)
  • Headquarters (FQE): Great Neck, New York
  • Industry: Consumer Goods Manufacturing (Paper, Personal Healthcare, Packaging)
  • Divisions: First Quality Tissue, First Quality Baby Care, First Quality Adult Incontinence, First Quality Feminine Care, and First Quality Packaging.
  • Founding: The First Quality group of companies was founded in the late 1980s.
  • Anderson, SC Facility Name: First Quality Tissue SE, LLC
  • Anderson Facility Announcement: May 14, 2010 (Initial major announcement)
  • Initial Investment: Approximately $1 Billion
  • Initial Job Creation Goal: 1,000 New Jobs
  • Facility Size: Approximately 2.9 Million Square Feet (one of the largest in the region)
  • Estimated Anderson SC Employees (2024-2025): Listed as 845 employees in the Anderson County budget documents.
  • Key Product Focus: Ultra-premium paper towels and bath tissue.
  • Core Technology: Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) Paper Machines.

The Ultra-Premium Secret: How TAD Technology Drives Quality and Expansion

The success and ongoing relevance of the First Quality Tissue plant in Anderson, SC, can be traced directly to its early and massive investment in advanced manufacturing technology, specifically Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) tissue machines. This technology is the "secret sauce" that allows the company to produce the ultra-premium products it is known for, setting it apart from competitors using conventional drying methods.

What is Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) Technology?

TAD is a state-of-the-art process in the paper industry that significantly enhances the quality of the final product. Unlike traditional methods where paper is pressed and dried with heated cylinders, the TAD process uses high-velocity hot air to dry the paper while it is still structured. This gentle drying preserves the bulk and softness of the fibers.

  • Superior Softness: The lack of heavy pressing results in a noticeably softer and fluffier product.
  • Increased Bulk: The finished paper has more volume, making it feel thicker and more substantial.
  • Enhanced Absorbency: The open structure of the paper web allows for superior absorption, a key feature for premium paper towels.

First Quality Tissue has consistently expanded its capacity by installing multiple TAD paper machines at the Anderson site. This commitment to advanced drying technology ensures that products like their Panda Ultra Premium Toilet Paper and other private label ultra-premium brands maintain a high-end feel that justifies their premium price point. The continuous drive to expand TAD capacity, as announced in previous years, confirms the company's long-term strategy to dominate the high-quality segment of the towel and tissue market.

Anderson, SC: An Economic Powerhouse in the Upstate

The establishment and subsequent expansion of the First Quality Tissue facility has had a transformative and lasting impact on the Anderson County and Upstate South Carolina economy. The initial $1 billion capital investment was one of the largest economic development announcements in South Carolina history at the time, signaling a massive vote of confidence in the region’s workforce and infrastructure.

Current Economic Footprint (2025)

The facility’s economic influence remains robust. The 2024-2025 Anderson County budget documents list First Quality Tissue as a top employer, with an estimated workforce of 845 individuals. This figure, while slightly below the initial 1,000-job goal, still represents a massive concentration of high-paying manufacturing and technical jobs in the area. The continuous operation and active hiring for roles such as Operator Technician and Storeroom Specialist—often with competitive starting wages—underscore its ongoing stability and need for skilled labor.

The presence of a mega-facility like First Quality also creates a ripple effect across the local economy, known as the multiplier effect. This includes increased demand for local services, suppliers, logistics companies, and housing, benefiting the entire Anderson, SC community and surrounding areas like Greenville and Spartanburg in the Upstate region.

The Role of Logistics and Infrastructure

Anderson's strategic location was a key factor in its selection. Its proximity to major transportation corridors, including Interstate 85 (I-85), allows First Quality to efficiently distribute its massive volume of finished products—from bath tissue to paper towels—to retailers and commercial clients across the Eastern and Central United States. The facility's sheer size, combined with a robust supply chain, is essential for maintaining its competitive edge in the highly demanding consumer goods market.

The facility is a testament to the successful collaboration between the private sector and local governance, including the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Anderson County officials, who worked together to secure the initial investment and subsequent expansions. This partnership has cemented the region's reputation as a prime hub for large-scale, advanced manufacturing operations, attracting further capital investment into the state.

Future Outlook: Sustained Growth and Market Leadership

As of late 2025, First Quality Tissue is positioned for continued market leadership, driven by its focus on ultra-premium products and the efficiency of its TAD technology. The general trend in the tissue paper industry favors high-quality, sustainable, and domestically produced goods, all of which align with the Anderson facility’s core strengths. The company's diversified portfolio under First Quality Enterprises provides a strong foundation, ensuring that the tissue division benefits from the stability of the larger organization, which also produces essential personal healthcare products and baby care items.

The Anderson, SC plant is not just a factory; it is a critical component of the national supply chain for household paper products. Its ability to produce high-volume, high-quality goods makes it indispensable to major retailers. The sustained hiring efforts in 2024 and 2025 for technical and operational roles demonstrate that the facility is operating at high capacity and remains focused on long-term growth. Any future expansions, which have been a historical pattern for the company, would further solidify Anderson County's role as a vital center for American manufacturing and paper production. The commitment to continuous improvement and technological superiority ensures that First Quality Tissue will remain a dominant economic force in the Upstate for the foreseeable future.

The $1 Billion Secret: 5 Shocking Facts About First Quality Tissue’s Massive Anderson, SC Facility
first quality tissue anderson sc
first quality tissue anderson sc

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